The Science of Happiness

Do you fixate on your flaws and shortcomings? Our happiness guinea pig tries the opposite: focusing on her personal strengths. ~ Try this episode’s happiness practice: Use Your Strengths Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/mj38w54k

Can you extend compassion toward a difficult person in your life? Congressman Tim Ryan tries a practice to help him reach across the aisle. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yp2tec4c

A junior high school teacher spent his life defying stereotypes about how men should express their emotions. Here he takes on a new challenge: getting his students to express gratitude. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/46w7cd2v

Comedian Maz Jobrani tries to pay more attention to the good things in his life by writing them down -- and encourages his kids to do the same. Try this episodes happiness practice: Three Good Things Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/9kzjcvf3

He started Afghanistan's first post-Taliban rock band when he was 18 years old. A decade later, our Happiness Guinea Pig takes on another challenge: writing about his emotions. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/2uzh3r67

How do you build feelings of trust and security? Our Happiness Guinea Pig learns some truths about what it takes to feel supported. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/mr4defr6

When you’re helping others cope with stress and anxiety, how do you deal with your own? Psychiatrist Elizabeth Guinto tries a practice to be kinder to herself. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yer2c25p

Comedian W. Kamau Bell discusses the challenges of finding common ground, even with people in your own family. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/ys466txk

International megastar Daniel Wu tries a practice that brings him calm amidst the chaos. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/bdfcws4a

Did you know that you have the power to spark happiness in someone else's brain with just a few simple words? College student Eva Dickerson shares how she spread happiness across her campus, equipped with just her iPhone and some compliments. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yc5vp9es

Our Happiness Guinea Pig, children's author Joanne Rocklin, shares her happiness practice: bringing people together to share a meal. It took on a deeper meaning for her after a recent tragedy. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3m5b4sw8

Why does a bath or swim feel so relaxing? Our guest shares her own happiness practice--spending time in water--which science is finding can make us happier and healthier. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/5n8uyznd

"I'm sorry you feel that way." Some apologies can actually make things worse. Our Happiness Guinea Pigs, Jolenta Greenburg and Kristin Meinzer of the By the Book podcast, try a more effective way of saying sorry. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/br9c86s7

How do you respond when you feel threatened or defensive? Our Happiness Guinea Pig, writer Wajahat Ali, discovers a way to keep himself centered amidst the challenges and chaos of life. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yc5msv7x

What would make you happier at work? Featuring some of our happiness guinea pigs, we share the latest insights and research on well-being and happiness in the workplace. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3uhb58b8

Do you take your partner for granted? Our Happiness Guinea Pig, cartoonist Gene Luen Yang, imagines a life in which he never met his wife. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3rp4nycn

Are you stuck ruminating about the past? Legendary skater Tommy Guerrero tries looking at negative events from a different perspective. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/bddb9eaj

Do you find yourself looking at your phone when you're supposed to be paying attention to a friend? Our Happiness Guinea Pig, The Takeaway's Tanzina Vega trades in her technology for some old school listening. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/4a98pmzc

Many of us avoid chatting with strangers – isn't small talk tedious and dull? Listen as our happiness guinea pig discovers its surprising benefits. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/mr29zv9u

Author Michael Pollan, shares his experiences on being a guinea pig for his new book, How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/bddxewwm

Did you know what you wanted when you were in high school? Our guest takes on the challenge of figuring out her purpose in life.Transcription: https://tinyurl.com/3be748x8

Would you rather swim with sharks or give a speech before thousands of people? Discover how our happiness guinea pig tackled one of his many fears--and lived to talk about it. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3zstem4a

Holding on to a grudge? Hear how our happiness guinea pig tried to let go of deep-seated anger and resentment. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/pphybmay

For years, Dan Harris of ABC News was plagued by anxiety, depression, and streaks of anger. Here's how he learned to tame the voices in his head and get 10 percent happier. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/5d625bjp

In hard times, do you seek comfort from others or turn inwards? Find out how our Happiness Guinea Pig emerged from trauma by accepting others' support. Thank you for your emails, calls, and letters! We think your stories will inspire others and we’ll be sharing some of them on the show. So call us at (510) 519-4903 and let us know how doing the Feeling Supported practice went for you! Support for this podcast comes from Sun Basket. We all know that every part of our life is enhanced when we eat nourishing, healthy meals but always eating right can be hard to do. Sun Basket makes it easy. Go to SunBasket.com/SOH today to learn more and get $35 off your first order! Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/5xtzbzj2

Is there someone important you've never properly thanked? Award-winning children's book author, Yuyi Morales, discovers the power of writing a "gratitude letter" to the librarian who changed her life. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yzbnp9v6

Do memories of your past affect your happiness today? Susannah Cahalan was young and healthy when she was stricken with a mysterious illness. Learn how writing about her “month of madness” in the bestselling book Brain on Fire helped her reclaim her life. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/xeyehswt

Does imagining your future make you more happy--or more anxious? Our happiness guinea pig looks ahead for inspiration to improve her life now. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/265b34pj

Can you train your brain to be more grateful? Todd Zwillich of The Takeaway takes on the challenge. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/2s336x2a

Are you so stressed that it wears you down physically as well as mentally? Discover how award-winning radio host Krista Tippett brought relief to her mind and body. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/29wdtvkj

Do you dwell on the negative and let moments of joy just pass you by? Discover how the Academy Award-winning director of Inside Out got out of his head and savored the good in his life. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/bury2hu9

What should you do when you thought you had it all -- but learn you've had it all wrong? Discover what our happiness guinea pig did to bring more joy and humor into his life. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/4z3snujy

Can 36 questions help you fall in love--and stay in love? Best-selling author Kelly Corrigan tries a research-proven technique to feel closer to her husband. Plus, we learn how the same technique can actually reduce racism and prejudice. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/5aep55b9

Are you too hard on yourself? Our Happiness Guinea Pig spent most of his life behind bars. Discover the research-tested practice that helped him quiet his inner critic. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/2jdjruzd

Do you take the good things in life for granted? You’re not alone, and studies show it's very human. But here’s a way to find more joy in the everyday. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/2khs3b7r

What does it take to live a happier life? Learn research-tested strategies that you can put into practice today. Hosted by award-winning psychologist Dacher Keltner. Co-produced by PRX and UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center. Link to Episode Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3u5jfpfy